Stupid Question...Tools Multiplying Like Rabbits?

[Oily Ape]

After nearly 60 years of acquiring my own tools, my Dads tools, my FnL's tools, Christmas presents, birthday presents, blah blah blah, I have an exorbarant excess of hand tools.

How many 9/16" box end wrenches does one really need? I only have two hands for goodness sake. I have at least half dozen of every size of box end wrench. Same goes for all the socket sizes. A dozen ratchets of each size. And don't even get me started on screw drivers.

Those that have multiplying tools, what have ya done to thin the herd? Just toss the cheap junk? Which I dislike the idea of just throwing it away. Donate it, and to whom? Toss it in the neighbors garage when they aren't looking?

I did take a 5 gal bucket that was nearly 3/4 full of various sockets to work with a sign that said "help yourself". Been there a couple years and still about 1/2 full.

 

[micromind]

I've got a bunch of stuff the same size too but it's in different boxes, not too many just hanging around.

 

[kbeefy]

When I moved about 12 years ago, I put together sets of duplicates and sold off quite a few. I didn't see the point of paying to move multiple sets.

Now they have repopulated, and I have sets everywhere. Most vehicles (and I have many) have an emergency set in them, theres a set for my sxs, I have rv specific ones in my campervan and toyhauler, my woodshop has it's tools, my shop has it's tools, I have a set in the house for handyman stuff and I have a complete set for aviation work.

 

[kbuhagiar]

I just recently went through this myself.

I created three categories/piles: (1) Tools to keep; (2) Tools to dispose of (charity/Goodwill); and (3) Tools too good to give away/sell. #1 & #2 are self explanatory; #3 consisted of tools that I would put in storage (as opposed to in my tool cabinets). Surprisingly the #3 tools fit in two bankers boxes, which were easy to store. If I lose a socket or wrench I likely will have a replacement available. If a relative or friend needs a tool or tools I can pull it from the surplus and tell them to keep it as long as they want.

 

[Oily Ape]

I like that idea @kbuhagiar . I don't have any boxes so maybe I'll find a some cheapo toolboxes. One for wrenches, one for sockets, one for screwdrivers.

Or something along those lines.

 

[swsman]

For the tools I use primarily it is all accessible and at my main work bench.
Have a mix of two older roller carts and a bench top tool box that I use to store the tools in. It is located at the garage entry, works out great for working on a vehicle in the driveway.

Some of the duplicate tools I have given to friends and a neighbor (I still have two large plastic tool boxes full of extra sockets/pliers/wrenches/screwdrivers that I do not use). Those are stored out of the way.

I do not keep any additional tool kits and what not in the vehicles or the house, if I need a tool I grab it from my main work bench.

When taking a road trip I make sure to pack a small tool kit along with a cordless impact, 12v air compressor, and a portable jump starter.
Once back home everything gets put back into its place.

Of course there are woodwork and metalwork tools, specialized tools - those I keep in the back part of the garage.

 

[Junkdrawer Dog]

I've always had goog luck just putting things out at the curb with a cardboard sign "FREE TAKE". If the neighbors don't take them the scrap metal collectors will.

 

[mikey03]

If it’s junk then it’s junk and any amount is too much tbh.

if it’s good stuff, I’m learning about vintage tools now, if you for vintage blackhawk, diamond logo SK, plomb, then can you ever have too much? Seems like you could sell on eBay and make it more than worth your time.

could you have too many snap on wrenches?

honestly what I’m doing as a new tool hoarder is setting up multiple kits. Pieced together a snap on combo wrench set recently that’s now my main go to. Picked up a wright set for a good price last year that’s staying in my car.

my old go to is a proto set, that’s going in my junkyard box.

if I had multiple cars I’d honestly want a basic combo wrench set and 3/8 shallow socket set in each car.

if I had multiple homes I’d want a basic toolbox in each.

if you do 100% of your work in your home garage and are a proud AAA member then honestly yeah two sets at the most of hand tools is all that makes sense to have. In case one brakes or as a loaner. And anything that you can’t sell because it’s not worth it because it’s some 1990s Husky set then donate it.

but honestly if you can Imagine putting smaller kits in multiple places then having extra tools is good. But not 9/16” SAE tools unless you work on that stuff

 

[OccupantRJ]

I have four places in my shop with a hanging set of SAE combination wrenches so no matter where I am a wrench is not far away, as I have all old school USA stationary equipment except for the cars we drive. That also gets them out of the tool chests make finding other tools easier. There are two cabinets devoted one to metric tools and one to automotive test equipment. Two more are SAE. One is woodwork tools. One is gear pullers and lubrication equipment. I am at the moment reorganizing all the drawers in the shop to be more efficient and less cluttered. I have a box on a cabinet where I am placing duplicates or any tool that I have decided to give away, with the intent to offer to visitors to the shop, which are almost always other shop oriented guys anyway. This at least makes me feel like I am thinning things. It makes me feel better until I look at the three full drawers of screwdrivers……

 

[ecotec]

As an electrician, i have probably used a 9/16” wrench or socket more than any other wrench or socket. We use it on all of our 3/8” hardware, cable tray…

I would say that 3/4” would be my second most used wrench or socket size. It is for all of our 1/2” hardware. We use it on trapeze to hang conduit…

Even if we changed to metric today, which we won’t… I would still be using metric regularly until I retire.

I remember in the 1970’s, in Catholic school, we were taught that by the time we were adults everything would be in metric… maybe they will change it today… but I don’t think so.

 

[micromind]

As an electrician, i have probably used a 9/16” wrench or socket more than any other wrench or socket. We use it on all of our 3/8” hardware, cable tray…

I would say that 3/4” would be my second most used wrench or socket size. It is for all of our 1/2” hardware. We use it on trapeze to hang conduit…

Even if we changed to metric today, which we won’t… I would still be using metric regularly until I retire.

I remember in the 1970’s, in Catholic school, we were taught that by the time we were adults everything would be in metric… maybe they will change it today… but I don’t think so.

Also the 37,493 3/8" hex head 1/4-20 self threading bolts that hold switchgear together........

I've actually worn out several 3/8" shallow sockets over the years.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

How many 9/16" box end wrenches does one really need?

Now, there's no need for personal attacks here

 

[Beerhippie]

This is why I keep my tools carefully jumbled in the cabinets and boxes. If you put all the wrenches and drivers of the same type together, they multiply--like rabbits.

Putting similar, but different tools in the same drawers can have unforeseen and often tragic consequences.

I learned this hard lesson one day when I reached into my driver drawer and pulled out a Torx X Phillips hybrid. There just isn't a place in the world for that--I took pity on it and euthanized it.

 

[PoorUB]

When I cleaned out my dad's place I kept a few items, but gave most of the wrenched and a tool box to my nephew, dad's grandson. I don't have many duplicates to start with. I am pretty much a minimalist when it comes to hand tools. I have what I need and jot much more. I don't need two drawers in a 6 foot wide tool chest for my screwdriver collection!

 

[Chipm]

Those that have multiplying tools, what have ya done to thin the herd? Just toss the cheap junk? Which I dislike the idea of just throwing it away. Donate it, and to whom? Toss it in the neighbors garage when they aren't looking?

My problem is my dream versus reality. I would like a perfect triple-bank tool box with everything clean and organized it its own little home. But instead, I have an actual working tool box with loads of random junk that you don't want but need to do your job. I think I am going to use this post as inspiration to throw out the junk like rusty hand-me-downs.

 

[txvwnut]

I've never had tools multiply on their own. Volkswagens, that's a different story.

 

[Oily Ape]

Volkswagen Rabbits !!!

 

[Oily Ape]

My problem is my dream versus reality. I would like a perfect triple-bank tool box with everything clean and organized it its own little home. But instead, I have an actual working tool box with loads of random junk that you don't want but need to do your job. I think I am going to use this post as inspiration to throw out the junk like rusty hand-me-downs.

I'm working on the big tool box thing. One estate sale or garage sale at a time. And thats only if I see it whilst working (across 5 counties) as I have other things to do on Saturdays. Mine tools are relatively organized, sorta.

One drawer has a pc of angle iron diagonally inside. 100 flat tip screwdrivers on one side, a zillion phillips on the other. Why can't I lose phillips like I do flat tips?

Most sockets are arranged, but since I'm cheap and won't/don't wanna buy organizers, they get messed up after closing the drawer a couple times. Maybe I should stop being so cheap.

Too many wrenches, so I have 2-3 peg hooks for each size on the wall, with 5+ wrenches each.

Specialty tools for suspensions, ignitions, etc, now those don't seem to multiply. They stay pretty neat and tidy. Rarely touch them, so that helps.

The other day had the brilliant idea of cutting up my 35yr old WM rolling chest. Top chest died years ago. Ya know, they ones with only two drawers and large open area below. Thought "that'll make a nice center cabinet between big rolling box, and smallest top box". Just cut the wasted open area away, reattach drawer section to the bottom framwork for rigidity. Yep, that old addage came true. Never measure once, especially in a thunderstorm. Cut two inches to much out. I'll still make it work. Just won't be as pretty as I had hoped.

 

[i84x]

Personally had this issue, binned the super cheap and worn out stuff and ended up just taking loads to work, we had a communal cupboard with tools for anyone to use so I told the apprentice and my shift mate to take anything they wanted and then dumped the rest in there.

 

[Beerhippie]

Personally had this issue, binned the super cheap and worn out stuff and ended up just taking loads to work, we had a communal cupboard with tools for anyone to use so I told the apprentice and my shift mate to take anything they wanted and then dumped the rest in there.

Beats hell out of the scrap metal bin!